Jordan - Bethany | Photo Gallery

Less than 2 kms east of the Jordan River is an important place associated with the lives of Jesus and John the Baptist, the settlement of Bethany, where John lived and baptized.

This settlement beyond the Bethany has recently been identified on the south bank of the small perennials stream named Wadi Kharrar, just east of the Jordan River and opposite Jericho. It is being excavated, protected, and made accessible for visitors.

The small natural hill forming the core of Bethany is called Elijah's Hill, or Tell Mar Elias in Arabic. Local tradition for thousands of years has identified it as the place from where Elijah ascended to heaven.

Bethany's ancient remains include structures from the 1st century settlement of John the Baptist, including large plastered pools with steps for full immersion, and the 5th-6th century remains of the Byzantine period settlement called Ainon or Saphsaphas and depicted on the 6th century Madaba Mosaic Map of the Holy Land.

It was a very moving experience for all of us to visit this site.